Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello! Just checking in to share. I'm almost 80 pounds down- had surgery in mid-July. I'm feeling great- normal even. I have gone from a size 22 to a size 14. I can now wear tall boots! This is my current prized accomplishment- that and shopping in any store I want. Happy to help answer any questions anyone has- let me know! From 275 to 198. Pretty wild!

Oh my Gosh!! What a Valentines present!! As many of you know I have been trying since mid July to get an approval for lap band. I have been denied many times. Never in my life have I been accused of not being fat enough! Lonely, sad and depressed, I turned to this site and made the announcement that I was giving up. My messenger started blowing up with support that I must keep fighting for what I believed. I did. After a million of letters, calls and pleas I got the official, unofficial (verbal) approval today !!! I am so darn excited!! I cant wait to start my journey. To each and every one of you I say THANK YOU !!! especially to Carolina girl, you have been so encourag…

I honestly don't know why I left the support of BPal but glad I'm back. I'm thinking that's why I struggled for this whole time. New year new hopes right? I have my band filled to 7cc and I go back to my dr later this month gonna get some added in I know I'm not in my green zone yet. I added a ticker to my post in hopes that will make it a lot more real for me. I plan to weigh myself once a week. I've been on winter vacation for two weeks, go back to work Monday. Looking forward to it being at home messes up my eating properly and my workouts not to mention we just finished two food filled holidays lol! My plan is to workout daily climb mountain twice a week maybe …

Hi all! I haven't been a member of a support group for several years but I thought it was about time to jump back in. I had my gastric bypass on July 31, 2007. I weighed 270 pounds on the day of my surgery and I am 5'5" tall. I was 57 years old at the time and I had to beg, beg, beg, just to be allowed to have the surgery. You see, I have chronic Iron deficiency anemia and one of the side effects of bypass surgery is iron deficiency anemia so Dr Jawad did not want to do the surgery at first. He seemed to think that my emotional state was good enough that I would follow the rules and he took a chance. I thank God every day that he did because I became the poster child for …

Does anyone else has dizzy spells sometimes

HAd surgery on December 10, I was able to lose the recommended 10 lbs before and have lose 10 lbs after. Don't recommend having surgery at the end of a cold . I never felt so thirsty. So far so good . I see the surgeon this coming week and I definitely am beginning to feel hungrier . I weight 220 and it's been over 20 years since I was under 200. Trying to keep on track

In reflecting on 2013, getting the sleeve was, without a doubt, the best decision I had made in quite some time. Of all the counsel that I have received from my Dr and nutritionist, there are a few things that have really had an impact on me that I thought I would share. SLOW DOWN! Mealtime /= Race time. Chew, chew, chew, chew, chew. Then chew some more. Drink no liquids of any kind with meals. Protein is king. No courtesy eating. Just because someone gives you a heaping spoonful of their (insert homemade dish here) does not mean you have to eat it all. It is okay to leave food on the plate. If those around you are offended by that, get new dinner companions. Best of luc…

Hello everyone, im new to the forum. I look forward to everyones feedback. I received my band on Dec 10, surgery went well but now i cant seem to hold anything down. It goes right throw me. I am a bit frustrated. Will this get better?

Please help

Hello everyone, I'm a complete newbie here, so allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tanya. I live in Alberta, Canada and I will be having a band to sleeve revision on January 27th of this month with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the OCC. I was banded in November of 2008 and I did very well at first. I lost nearly 90 lbs and kept it off for a year and half and then decided to have a tummy tuck. I had been a smoker for 22 years and my TT surgeon urged me to quit. I've been quit now since July 22, 2011 and since then (and my TT) I have gained almost all the weight back!! I feel like a complete failure ???? I got my band defilled today and booked my flights and pretty much g…

Anyone out there with Avmed from Florida that was approved for gastric sleeve if so how long did it take???

Hey all, My name is Amy and I have had my band for a little over a year now. The day of my surgery I weighed 277 lbs and as of this morning I weighed 255. I was down to 249 but we went on vacation and I gained some back (although I don't know how because I threw up A LOT while we were gone). I originally decided on having the surgery because I tried EVERYTHING to lose weight. Every diet, every diet pill, exercise, you name it I probably tried it. I have diabetes, PCOS, anxiety and depression. My aunt who I was very close to passed away a few years ago from complications of diabetes. I am pretty much just like her when it comes to my health. I favor her in looks as w…

I begin the real part of my journey on Monday December 30, 2013 with my Roux-N-Y. I started looking into the surgical answer to my struggles with weight maintenance a year ago. At 5' 1.5 I weighed 120 in my teens, one year at 140 after dieting, and never close again. As with us all, I have tried every diet that has been suggested, advertised, and failed at keeping the weight off. In the last six years the weight has been slowly creeping up. Since then, I've developed PCOS, degeneration of joints in knees, back and neck. I've had a hysterectomy, and I think it's been worse since then three years ago. I am exhausted... So incredibly tired of the disappointment of not being…

I am 31yrs old I am 5'3 CW/224lbs.I have done all the requirements that State of Florida Avmed Requires (6 long months ugh) I am hopefully gonna get my final approval soon . I am really excited . I have been reading some posts on here an there is some really helpful people out there. I hope y'all can remember I am new .

Hello I am new here. Still preop doing the diet now. Surgery 1-15-14, question is last month I was diagnosed with thyroid disorder. I am now on levothyroxine (.125 mcg). Should I be worried about this or take it as an extra blessing? I lost 11 lbs before starting diet and now 6 more in three days. Thanks for any help

I got my band yesterday happy but not happy with the pain. I'm in so much pain gas x strips doesn't feel like it's helping at all the only time I don't feel pain is when I'm sleeping. any suggestions??????

Well it'll be 3 years since my lap band surgery and honestly it's been an up and down climb. I haven't been online for almost three years!!!!! I started off strong and lost 55 lbs. and since have gained some and lost some. Didn't think i"d still be up and down with my weight after getting the band. After almost 3 years I still haven't found a way to make my band work for me. This is the year however!!!!

I had RNY last Thu the 26th of Dec. My highest weight was 520 last year. When I started the journey of WLS over the past summer I weighed in at 496. The day of my surgery I weighed 463. I was released from the hospital 48 hours later. I feel miserable. I really do. Can't sleep, stomach is tight & sore. Feel light headed at times & down. I am drinking my Protein shakes but Water taste like metal to me. I'm due to see the doctor on the 8th of June. Was told to start puréed meals this upcoming Friday. Just don't feel myself at all. I know it's a change but Jesus, I don't think I've smiled once since it was done. Except when I came home

I am a newbie to posting here - actually to posting anywhere, but here is my story. It took me almost a year to be certain this surgery was the path for me and to get through the preparation. I had my sleeve surgery on 12/3/13 and was completely confident that it was the right decision for me. I started to feel better as soon as I started on Optifast, which my surgeon requires for two weeks prior to surgery. I was disappointed that I only lost 15 pounds because I have seen on this forum where many people lost a lot more. My surgery went well, and my only issue was mild nausea, but I only spent one night in the hospital. My surgeon requires 2 weeks of full liquids follow…

Just had my surgery on dec.27,2013 so far so good

Am about to be 5 months and I have lost like 60 percent of my hair... any one else in my position ....and what can I do .....am desspred. ......

I was sleeved in Mexico on August 31st, 2013 by Dr. Illan. It has been an amazing journey thus far. I started out at 326 lbs, 301 after pre op diet and today I am 238! Dr. Illan and his entire team is top notch and are still taking such an interest in our success. I am so happy that this was available in Mexico since my insurance didn't cover surgery and Dr. Illan and his team are so talented. I am very blessed to have given this tool/gift to help me get healthy! Sherry in VA

I was just banded yesterday morning 12/11/13. I was so very ready for it and very excited for the day to finally come. Yesterday I had pretty bad gas/air pain in my collarbone and chest area, but today it has already improved and Im just real sore at incision sites. Not as bad as I expected though. Looking forward to meeting people on here, getting and giving support. Very happy to have found this site

Hello Everyone, Today is the day! I am in the outpatient surgical center waiting for the my procedure to begin. I have followed everything up to date and this is exciting! I'm so happy! The nurses are lovely here in the Hudson Valley. This is my last step then seeing the doctor to set a date! Yay me!

I was so busy at my brothers engagement party that the day flew by and now I am tearing because my dream is coming true tomorrow OMG omg omg .. I am now feeling nervous and have lots of butterflies in my tummy. Tell me I will be okay and the pain won't be so bad please please please :/

I have been on soft foods this week, so I was expecting to feel some major restriction, but I really don't. I have read that at first you can only eat 1/2 cup or so of food, but I had a half cup each of 2 soft veggies for dinner and didn't really feel full afterwards. I am so concerned my stomach is not restricted enough.

Wow I can't believe I have only 5 more days before my VGS I'm excited, anxious & nervous all at once. I have mostly everything lined up, like my waters, chicken broth, sf jellos, crystal light, vitamin waters, protein shakes powder and premix, chewable vitamins.. Am I missing anything else?

Wish you all a very happy & healthy new year.. After trying every diet and losing then gaining, I finally got a green signal to get the surgery, I have been waiting for.. Here is what made surgery thought into reality : I live in canada but for my sisters wedding, I had to visit India and for some reason, 99% of all girls are skinny to average over here and I found myself completely out of place, embarrassed and unattractive.. I really really wanted to get this surgery however due finances and my husbands complete disapproval (he is more scared of seeing me in pain and is worried about the side effects), I had to keep it in my heart... But on Christmas Day, my …

I have been getting ready for the gastric sleeve surgery since July. My surgery date is January 14th. I am pretty antsy right now although I have had much more serious hospitalizations in the past. My Dr is Dr. Peter Liao GBMC Comprehensive Obesity Management Program in Baltimore Maryland. Right now I am 5'5 1/2 " and weigh 250 lbs. I know that I want to lose at lease 100 lbs. I can't imagine how this is going to feel carrying around that much less weight. You see , I broke both legs in a car wreck 10 years ago. Something that has me even more anxious is the fact that my husband's former wife went into have gastric bypass surgery in 2009 and they opened her up a…

Hello everyone my name is Nicole and I'm 23 from Australia I had my lap band surgery April 2013. I've lost 15 kilos and that's it. I just can shift the weight it's been a struggle for the last 2 months But will get there

I eat between 3 to 4 meals a day, but, after about an hour after I eat I'm hungry again. Is it because I'm unable to get all of my Protein or Fluid? I'm 9 weeks out and I have never been able to get in all of either. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

This may be a stupid question but does know when one is safe from having a leak? Like is there a time-frame? TIA

Im not near my goal weight and this past year I let my emotions dictate whether or not I was going to follow "the dietary rules". I'm proud of the weight that has come off but I know that I chose not to do better. I don't do "do-overs" or resolutions, I can only wake up every day with a prayer of strength against my addiction to food. Now, with that said I do have a goal to learn to cook healthier. My southern roots tend to creep in and well, everything taste better with butter or gravy on it. Oh oh.... Let the judgement begin. I can't change what I don't admit to. My band is at a good fit right now, my problem is my consistent desire to want this for myself. I spent …

Hey everyone, I have my endoscopy on Friday and I'm coming down with a cold. My throat is sore and post nasal drip I have no fever. I don't want to reschedule but will call the nurse later today. Hopefully I feel better by then. I can't take off from work because next week I begin a new job. :/ I wanted to make sure this was done before hand. Feeling just a little down.

The absolute worst part of the process was pre-surgical intubation. It was done while I was awake due to the fact that I've got a small throat (inside). Boy, did that suck!! --- Its 13 days post-op, New Year's Day 2014. I just had my first meal. Scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes NEVER tasted so good. It was so nice to EAT rather than "drink" my supper. --- Read blogs. Search websites. Weigh options. If you know in your heart that you can't lose weight, take control by making a choice to have surgery. The Gastric Sleeve was what seemed like the best choice for me. So, I made a decision (like I have so SO many times before to lose weight), but this time it was different.…

Was diagnosed with it in 2011! I am going to see the pulmonologist that read my report for clearance for surgery instead of one on their list. I am hoping that I don't have to go through another sleep study! And I'm hoping seeing him is enough and I don't have to go see another one on their list! Does anyone have any experience with this? And, how do they handle someone with sleep apnea during surgery and after? Thanks!

Anyone have any advice for a newbie??

Hi I'm new to this group and looking for people to share in this journey with me!

This journey has been very life changing and I went thur a whole lot but I'm very thankful for this change !! I'm here too help anyone with question ect or anything else

Did I really go from a size 22 to a 9/10 in less than 6m?! YES I DID!!! All hail the sleeve!!!

I just put on a pair of size 16 jeans so excited. Started with size 20. Sorry was excited needed to share lol

I just walked out of doctors office with my date. JANUARY 22ND!!!! I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I start my pre op diet tomorrow. Thank god it's not 2 week of liquids like I was prepared for. Only 2 days prior do I have to do that. I have waited so long for this and for it to finally be here is CRAZY! I know 2014 is gonna be a GREAT year! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

so I have done better on my eaten today and actually went to the gym.. but I've been biting my nails all day ugh.. so what are some things that y'all want to work on.. and make some changes on for the new year.. mine was start my new year at right by eaten right and working out to lose the rest of my weight.. cuz let me tell you this girl right here has been struggling.. you would think I've been so so excited to keep losing weight since I have lost 102 pounds i still have 50 to go..

I don't see anything about a six month nutrition. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed it goes smoothly, I have my Surgeon Consultation on January 10th. I cannot wait to get this weight off for good, my BMI is 48 Bariatric Surgery: Clinical Policy (Effective 1/01/2014) ©1996 - 201 4 , Oxford Health Plans, LLC 2 Note: Gastric electrical stimulation with an implantable gastric stimulator (IGS) for the treatment of obesity is addressed in this polic y. For information regarding other indications, refer to Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Diagnosis and Treatment. COVERAGE RATIONALE Required Documentation for Medical Director Review: • Office notes inc…

I am scheduled to be rebanded in 10 days. My original surgery was in 2006. I did very well with my band, but now it has slipped and I have to have it either replaced or removed. I am not a candidate for a sleeve, as my BMI has dropped to 30 with the weight loss from the original banding. Has anyone had any success with a second band, and gone on to further weight loss and/or maintenance? Ive heard too much negative commentary and not enough positive results on second banding. I had little or no problems with the band, and Im hoping that repiositioning the band and starting over again will help me get back on the right path. anyone have any experience with this?

Ok, every year I think really hard about my NY resolution. It's always the same. I'm going to lose weight and get healthier..lol. And, what happens is I usually end the year weighing MORE than I started. But, this year, I can say that and actually KNOW it's going to happen. A few months ago, I decided that I needed to be around for my grandkids to help them win battles against their parents and to give them an occasional break from those worn out aggravated parents. And, also to relieve my children from the joys of parenthood, which should really be called the joys of grandparenthood. Because, honestly, when we are experiencing parenthood for the most part it's hectic, ti…

Okay, I see all these posts where people freak out because they ate something they shouldn't have. Yes, we are supposed to eat ALOT of Protein, which I do. And, we're supposed to drink lots of Water, which I try to do, we're not supposed to drink out of a straw, which I do, I haven't died or had any more pain than not, we're not supposed to eat bread, which I have a couple of times, it hasn't made me sick, if I have a craving for a cookie, I eat it. The bottom line is even if you slip and eat a little of something you're not supposed to , it's not going to ruin your life or end your results. The truth is you will never be able to sit and eat a whole bag of doritoes or a w…

I want to wish everyone a happy new year I hope 2014 will bring all you desire I had my surgery jan 28 2013 and I'm almost at 100 lbs I'm hoping to be at 100 lbs and at goal on jan 28 will post before and after pics then. Until then 2 be continued ............

Hi everyone! I am hoping to find someone on here that is at the same stage as me or close. . I had my seminar a week and a half ago. I am approved by my insurance so that is good. I have my consultation on jan 15th. I already have my appointments scheduled for the cardiologist which is Monday, the psychiatrist and the pulmonologist. Things are moving quickly for me so that is a good thing.

Hi everyone! Happy New Year! I am just wondering if anyone has or had this problem? I don't have a surgery date set yet. I am hungry all the time! It seems I can't get full a lot of times. After surgery will this change with my smaller stomach and all? I sure hope so. It is very frusterating now.